Cruel: But he will hope to avoid a season-ending injury like Theo Walcott, after his signal against Tottenham

Walcott risked a barrage from the Tottenham Hotspur fans when giving them a '2-0' signal while being stretchered off injured during the FA Cup victory at the Emirates.

Unfortunately for the England winger, the innocuous injury he picked up was in fact cruciate ligament damage, and he will be out for 6 months - missing Arsenal's title challenge and the World Cup this summer.

Wilshere shows he thinks the Gunners will win 1-0 at Villa Park, fans can only hope this latest forecast doesn't result in a career-threatening injury, too.

High spirits: Tomas Rosicky celebrates during training at London Colhney on Sunday

Memories: Club legend Thierry Henry (left), back in training at Arsenal, stands next to boss Arsene Wenger

Old and new: Henry and Ozil take part in training in a chilly morning session

Olivier Giroud will return for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger happy to given his leading frontman a well deserved rest. Wenger has been linked with several other forwards in January, including Alvaro Morata and Jackson Martinez, but he insists unless somebody 'special' comes up then he has faith in his players, including fit-again Lukas Podolski.

Meanwhile, Wojciech Szczesny says he has faith in the best back four in the division, and is proud of the club's new found solidity:

'I prefer to play behind the same back four because we have got a very good understanding, but you have to give credit to the players that have come in, when everyone does as well as they been doing recently it really doesn't matter," Szczesny said.

Welcome return: Olivier Giroud is back in action ahead of the trip to the Midlands

Proven: Though Wenger has faith in fit-again finisher Podolski, too

Solid: Per Mertesacker (left) and Kieron Gibbs (right) have been superb in the back four this season

High flyer: Serge Gnabry (left) has impressed since breaking into the first team